America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have announced that they have created a personal health record model that is a private, secure, web-based tool maintained by an insurer and containing a consumer’s claims and administrative information. Until now, the information in personal health records has not been consistent, prompting physician organizations to urge the insurance industry to identify the core data that should be included in a personal health record. Physicians identified as key data patient histories, medications, immunizations, allergies, risks, and plans of care. AHIP and BCBSA have identified the core information to include in personal health records and have pilot testing standards that will allow consumers to transfer the record data when they change coverage.
Personal health records are distinct from electronic health records, which contain detailed clinical information. Personal health records enable patients and their caregivers to view and manage health information and play a greater role in their own health care. An estimated 70 million people have personal health records through health insurers, with millions more scheduled for the service in 2007. The health insurance community has set a goal of incorporating the core data elements and implementing the standards for portability by 2008. See a chart of the types of data to be included in the personal health record.
